#PRFail: Missouri Wants to Party Like it’s 1899 … With Firing Squads?

Due apologies to Prince (or the Symbol), but that seemed apropos for this antiquated form of execution. At least, that’s what you would think.

“Fusillading” (from the French meaning ‘rifle’…those silly French) was common among the military, considered more of a soldier’s death than a criminal one, but history shows that the state of Utah used this form of capital punishment as late as 1977.

I know, right?

Suffice to say, technology has come a long way and the silent way to go is by lethal injection. That is, until the state of Missouri decided firing squads should be considered again.

You see, the state is short on many things, besides crime control, such as pentobarbital – the drug cocktail made to be served intravenously for a dying good time.

Bill sponsor Rep. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, believes the “firing squad option would offer the state another way to carry out executions in light of pharmaceutical companies’ halting sale of drugs for executions.”

“A firing squad would be quick and something we could do at a moment’s notice,” he said. “My opinion is they would suffer less than with lethal injection…A lot of folks may picture the 1850s and everyone lining up to shoot, but the reality is that people suffer with every type of death. “This is no less humane than lethal injection. If I had my choice, I would take the firing squad over lethal injection.”

Two sides of this argument:

1. All executions are heinous, namely this one.

2. Who the hell cares what you would choose?

Regardless what side of firing squad you fall upon, this is a real bill and that could be a real outcome, just for death in a pinch. #PRFail or #JusticeWin? Tweet us and let us know. You know, since we can’t afford Survey Monkey. The economy and all.

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